sort of sympathy with poor devils is got at."

"And you'll stop the Sacrament next time, won't you?" said Tom.

"Can I, before I'm confirmed?"

"Go and ask the Doctor."

"I will."

That very night, after prayers, East followed the Doctor, and the old
verger bearing the candle, upstairs. Tom watched, and saw the Doctor
turn round when he heard footsteps following him closer than usual, and
say, "Hah, East! Do you want to speak to me, my man?"

"If you please, sir." And the private door closed, and Tom went to his
study in a state of great trouble of mind.

It was almost an hour before East came back. Then he rushed in
breathless.

"Well, it's all right," he shouted, seizing Tom by the hand. "I feel as
if a ton weight were off my mind."

"Hurrah," said Tom. "I knew it would be; but tell us all about it."

"Well, I just told him all about it. You can't think how kind and gentle
he was, the great grim man, whom I've feared more than anybody on earth.
When I stuck, he lifted me just as if I'd been a little child. And he
seemed to know all I'd felt, and to have gone through it all. And I
burst out crying--more than I've done this five years; and he sat down
by me, and stroked my head; and I went blundering on, and told him
all--much worse things than I've told you. And he wasn't shocked a bit,
and didn't snub me, or tell me I was a fool, and it was all nothing but
pride or wickedness, though I dare say it was. And he didn't tell me
not to follow out my thoughts, and he didn't give me any cut-and-dried
explanation. But when I'd done he just talked a bit. I can hardly
remember what he said yet; but it seemed to spread round me like
healing, and strength, and light, and to bear me up, and plant me on a
rock, where I could hold my footing and fight for myself. I don't know
what to do, I feel so happy. And it's all owing to you, dear old boy!"
And he seized Tom's hand again.

"And you're to come to the Communion?" said Tom.

"Yes, and to be confirmed in the holidays."

Tom's delight was as great as his friend's. But he hadn't yet had
out all his own talk, and was bent on improving the occasion: so he
proceeded to propound Arthur's theory about not being sorry for his
friends' deaths, which he had hitherto kept in the background, and by
which he was much exercised; for he didn't feel it honest to take what
pleased him, and throw over the rest, and was trying vigorously to
persuade himself that he should like all hi